Can Anemone's Explode?

[E&Js]

So I purchased a GBTA last week. It was about the size of a womans fist. After the first 3 nights in my tank, it moved about 6 inches and grew about 12! I mean this thing was massive. I have 2 false percs which have been hosting a frogspawn, but immediately feel in love with the new arrival. The male seemed to have been almost biting the GBTA's mouth, but I'm not sure. Now about 4 days later, the nem is all shrivled up and it looks like it has been torn apart (black cotton like material is coming out) It is still alive, but I dont know what to do or what happened. Has anyone seen this that could give some advice. thanks.

 

[dc]

It may just be expelling waste. It's amazing how small they can become.

 

[E&Js]

This guy is sort of slumping over and the underside of him seems to be getting torn away...almost like waste is coming out from everywhere, not just his mouth. I am trying to post a pic.

 

[traveller7]

Torn apart appearance, while still alive typically indicates it has divided. Look for another half in the rocks, the back of the tank, the overflow, etc. If the "torn apart" appearance is more like the mouth turning inside out, that may just be the typical waste removing process. Hard to say without pictures.

Black cotton from the mouth would typically be waste, unfortunately it may also indicate the symbiotic algae is being expelled. Is the anemone lighter in coloration?

 

[E&Js]

He may have lost a little color from when he was first introduced. The 'split' seems to be happening on several parts of his body and I havent found any smaller pieces around the tank. Is this something typical that can happen after only being in the tank a little more than a week?

 

[E&Js]

BEFORE...

 

[E&Js]

lets try that again...

 

[wicked_NaCl_h2o]

still no picture E&Js well ..I don't see it I don't know about anyone else
..try photobucket.com or imageshack.us

 

[chrisstie]

Here you go

 

[E&Js]

Thanks Chrisstie. How'd you do that?

 

[E&Js]

Here are some current pics. you can see part of the side of him is opening up...my false p. is a disaster...

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[wicked_NaCl_h2o]

From what I see in these pics it might be its mesentery filaments coming out of its foot. I could be wrong..its not a clear picture. If thats what it is..thats not a good sign.

 

[E&Js]

How does that happen? I have a rbta in there and he has been doing fine for about 3 months. This guys seemed to nose dive in a week. I did a water change saturday to try to remedy the situation, but he still seems to be deteriorating.

 

[E&Js]

Anyone? No water param's have changed and everything else in the tank is great. Could all his moving around have done it or is there something I am missing?

 

[My-eel-bit-me]

If they are moving around, its usually cause they are looking for food. Are you directly feeding it yourself?

 

[E&Js]

yes, feed it about 1/2 a shrimp 3 days ago. i would try to feed it now but it looks to be falling apart. can they badly pollute your tank if they should die? any tell tale signs to take him out?

 

[wicked_NaCl_h2o]

Are you able to lift up the rock it is attached to? If you are..then pick it up and smell it..if there is no foul smell then its still alive. If its still alive I would try to put it in a better area so you can keep a good eye on it. Like a breeder net or container. Where did you buy this anemone? LFS or online?

 

[E&Js]

I bought it at a lfs. I get all my products there and so far everything has been well. I will ry to put him in a breeder net I have to hopefully nurse him back if it doesnt smell.

 

[My-eel-bit-me]

can they badly pollute your tank if they should die? any tell tale signs to take him out?

Simple answer, yes they can polluate the tank. When they start to literally fall apart I would get it out fast. Otherwise it can get very messy.

 

[wicked_NaCl_h2o]

It might have been damaged while taking it off the rock it was attached to at the lfs. Very few btas survive that kind of damage on the foot even if its in perfect tank conditions. I hope yours is one of the few that does survive. I wish you the best of luck.